Toothbrush



March 1955 L. o. KITTLE ETAL TOOTHBRUSH Filed Nov. 4, 1950 INVENTOR LEVI O. KITTLE y AP /J5 77k/rr'LE w g d m mea United States Patent F TOOTHBRUSH Levi O. Kittle and Irene T. Kittle, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 4, 1950, Serial No. 194,048

6 Claims. (Cl. 15--114) This invention relates to toothbrushes and .has for one of its objects the provision of a tooth brush that is adapted to clean and polish the teeth more efficiently than heretofore and without injury to the tooth enamel.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tooth brush that has a beneficial effect on the gums and at the same time is adapted to remove foreign particles from between the teeth to the line of the gums as efficiently as conventional tooth brushes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tooth brush that is sanitary and self cleaning in use insofar as foreign impurities, tooth paste, tooth powder and oral secretions are concerned.

Conventional tooth brushes comprise tufts of bristles in rows secured to a head or base member to which a handle is connected. The brushes are designated soft, medium, and hard, to indicate the stiffness of the bristles. Usually the tufts are pointed at their outer ends to facilitate entry of the bristles between the teeth.

Most of the bristles now used are of plastic material such as known under the trade-name of Nylon. These bristles are water-proof, durable, and relatively hard. Also they possess a high degree of resiliency.

Previous to the plastic bristles, hog bristles were commonly used. These were not as durable as the plastic bristles, and tended to become water soaked. However, in the bristles were natural abrasive substances that became exposed as the bristles would wear down thereby tending to polish the teeth.

Irrespective of the material of the bristles, they produce no more of a polishing action on teeth, even when used with tooth powder or paste, than the polishing action produced by any brush on a hard or enamel surface. Tooth paste and tooth powder commonly used contains a detergent or lathering agent and an abrasive, but the bristles, being hard merely tend to slide the abrasive ahead of them or to one side as the bristles pass over the teeth, and abrasive particles that may be pressed against the teeth by the bristles tend to scratch the latter due to the hardness of the bristles.

As a result of the above conditions, liquid tooth cleaners that are frankly detergents free from abrasive materials have found popularity, inasmuch as the result was the same whether or not an abrasive was present in the dentifrice.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a tooth brush that is adapted to effect a gentle but effective uniform polishing action on the teeth when a dentifrice containing an abrasive, such as precipitated chalk, is used, thereby keeping the teeth sparkling and clean, and which brush is adapted to remove loose foreign particles from between the teeth with just as much efficiency as conventional brushes.

Another objection to conventional brushes is the fact that the bristles are in many instances too severe on the gums, causing them to bleed and to become sore.

The socalled soft brushes are not as harsh on the gums as the harder ones but where conventional structure is employed the hard bristles with their relatively sharp ends are painful any many times are injurious to the gums. All that is required in a brush is the provision of bristles than can reach between the teeth and along the juncture between the teeth and gums to remove particles of relatively loose foreign material.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a brush so designed and constructed as to reduce to the minimum any discomfiture from the bristles without view of the head of a toothbrush. The handle is broken away to accommodate the view to the sheet.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the brush head of Fig. 1 looking at the said head from the bristle side.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a form that is slightly different from that of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of Fig. 1. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4, but showing slightly different tuft structure.

Fig. 7 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the surface structure of the central portion of the brush.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of ing slightly different structure.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the brush applied to teeth with the bristles between the latter.

Fig. 10 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view showing the bristles and polishing member against a tooth.

In detail, the brush as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, comprises a handle 1 provided with a head 2. The head in turn is preferably elongated longitudinally of the handle and is provided with a pair of spaced rows of tufts 3 of bristles extending longitudinally thereof with the rows in side by said relationship. 7

These tufts 3 each comprise a generally cylindrical group of bristles having one of their ends secured in the head 2. However, the bristles of each tuft spread apart slightly in direction away from said head, and at their outer ends the tufts generally come to a point 4 with the maximum diameter of the tufts being where the pointed ends of the tufts commence, and closely adjacent the outer ends of the tufts or along the dot-dash line XX.

Between the rows of tufts 3 is a longitudinally .extending strip of compressible, resilient, soft material 5, preferably having the characteristics of foam rubber. This strip 5 is secured to the head 2 by any suitable means, and the outer surface is preferably fiat and terminates substantially at the same level as the outer end of the tufts 3.

The ends of strip.5 terminate adjacent the outer and inner ends of the head 1, and preferably, one or more end tufts 6 (Fig. 2) of bristles are between the outer end of said head and the end of the strip adjacent said outer end.

These tufts 6 may be of the same height as the tufts of rows 3 that are adjacent thereto, or they may be even longer. tufts may even be shorter.

One or more tufts 7 (Fig. 2) may be at the end of strip 5 that is opposite the tufts 6, and here the tuft 7 should be of substantially the same height as the adjacent tufts 3.

In the drawing, the tufts 3 become shorter in direction toward the outer end of the head. They may be the same Fig. 7, but showlength, or as has already been explained, the end tufts.

6 may be longer than the tufts 3 adjacent thereto.

The outer flat surface 9 (Fig. 7) of the strip 5 where the strip is of foam rubber or plastic, is formed with small irregularities where the cell walls are cut, and this provides pockets for the retention ofthe abrasive, such as the precipitated chalk that. is in the powder or paste dentifrices during movement of the strip over the teeth.

As seen in Figs. 9, 10 when the brush is applied to the teeth, the outer surface 9 of strip 5 conforms to the surface contour of the teeth and yieldably holds the dentifrice against the outer surface of the teeth when the brush head is reciproeated in any direction. The

outer ends of the bristles readily enter the spaces between. the teeth to dislodge foreign particles of food that may.

have become lodged there.

Preferably, the width of the strip 5 is such that the As shown in Fig. 1 at least one of said endtend to reinforce the strip. The strip is quite yieldable and resilient, and may not have the strength of the bristles. Thus in brushing and polishing the teeth the strip will be held by the bristles against too much distortion so that the ffat outer surface of said strip will bear against the teeth at all times. i

As a modification of the structure of Fig. l, a supporting base (Fig. 8) may be provided for a soft resilient strip 11 that has the same or substantially the same characteristics as strip 51 and that provides an outer polishing surface 12. As shown in Fig. 8, the outer surface 12 may be intentionally grooved transversely of the strip 11. or cross grooved. as desired. to provide an even greater capacity for retaining an abrasive on said surface. The base 10 may be flexible. but less so than strip 11, and the base need not necessarily be moisture absorbent.

It is clearly to be understood that the reference to the retenti n of abrasi e on the surface 9 (Fig. 7) or 12 (Fig. 8) is not to be confused with such structure as is shown in the U. S. patent to Adamsson. No. 2,312,828 of March 2, 1943. in which there is a central recess in the brush to hold a supply of a dentifrice. In said patent the bottom of the central recess is well below the maximum diameter of the tufts and cannot contact the teeth. whereas in the present invention the surfaces 9, 12 must contact the teeth without substantial distortion of the bristles or the invention would not be operable for its intended purposes.

Tn Fi s. 3, 5 the same bristles 3. 6 and 7 are shown as in Fins. l, 4. but in this form of the invention the strip 14 that is between the rows of bristles has its outer flat s rface at b antially he le el of th maximum diameter of the bristles. or where the pointed ends of the tufts conv ne. This is the same level as that defined by line X-X of Fig. l.

n this fo m of the invention, the pointed ends of the bristles readily pass into the s aces between the teeth and the outer surface of the strip engages the surfaces of the tee h in substantially t e same manner as in the oreviouslv described form. There is ractically no distortion of the bristles and the polishing surface of strips. However. the ou er surface of the stri should be at least at substantiall the same level as that of the maximum di meter of the tufts, and not substantially below said level.

Tn the form of invention shown in Fi s. 1, 3 the outer surface of the ce tral strip. which may be termed a polishing strip. will always contact the surfaces of the teeth in a n rmal and relatively mild brushing operation.

Tn the form of invention shown in Fig. 6 the maximum diameter of the tufts 16 is at the outer ends of the tufts, in which case the central strip 17, which corresponds with strin 5. extends to the level of said maximum diameter.

The rovision of the strip 5, or 14 between the rows of tufts 3 pre ents the dentifrice that is on said stri from passin to the spaces between the lower ends of the tufts of said rows. and where the said stri s have moisture absorbent characteristics. the brush is virtually self cleanin inasmuch as the exnressins of water from the strip washes away the particles or impurities that otherwise mi ht tend to cling to the sides. Also, water is supplied by the strip to the dentifrice. which is particularly desirable where the latter is in powder form.

In Fi 10, the polishing action of the polishing strip 5 is clear seen, and also the cleaning action of the bristles. However. as hereinbefore noted, and as seen in Fin. 10. the bristles do not perform a polishing acti n. They tend to clean the tee h 20 of loose or dis lodneable particles. but do not polish. and any dentifrice on the teeth is merely. pushed or moved b the bristles across the teeth without accomplishing a olishing action.

By the present invention, a true polishing action is performed and the harsh. iniurious effect of the bristles on the gums 21 is materially lessened without reducing the efficacv of the bristles for removing loose foreign mate rial from between the teeth.

The present device in any of its preferred forms virtually comprises a central polishing strip of soft, resilient material flanked by longitudinally extending rows of bristle tufts in which the polishing surface of the strips is at a level closely adiacent or substantially at the outer ends of said tufts whereby the said surface and said tufts will be simultanously. in engagement with the teeth in a or a th. sh n oper ion It is desirable that the polishing strip be compressible to enable any desired contact between the bristles and the teeth for removal of particles of foreign material, a result which would not be possible by providing mere flexibility of a central element or elements.

The claims are intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. in a tooth brush having an elongated head provided with an elongated tooth polishing member extending longitudinally of and projecting from one side of said head, means for firmly securing said member to said head and said member having a tooth engaging polishing surface facing outwardly of said head, said surface being planar and formed with relatively small outwardly opening recesses for holding an abrasive thereon such as precipitated chalk during reciprocatory movement of said surface over the surfaces of the teeth in a brushing operation, a row of elongated tufts of bristles secured to said head and positioned along each side of and extending substantially from end to end of the latter with the bases of said tufts at said head spaced apart to permit flow of water between said bases, the sides of said tufts remote from said member being exposed with the outer ends of said tufts remote from said head terminating adjacent said polishing surface, the portion of said member adjacent to and supporting said surface being compressible axially of said tufts to facilitate entry of the outer ends of said tufts between the teeth during polishing engagement between said polishing surface and said teeth, said portion of said member including said polishing surface being flexible and having the physical characteristics of foam rubber in which said recesses are outwardly opening pores of said member, said portion of said member being positioned on said head for engagement with and for receiving support from bristles of tufts at each side of said portion during flexing of said portion transversely of its length in said brushing operation.

2. In a tooth brush having an elongated head provided with an elongated tooth polishing member extending longitudinally of and projecting from one side of said head, means for firmly securing said member to said head and said member having a tooth engaging polishing surface facing outwardly of said head, said surface being formed with relatively small outwardly opening recesses for holding an abrasive thereon sutch as precipitated chalk during reciprocatory movement of said surface over the surfaces of the teeth in a brushing operation, a row of elongated tufts of bristles secured to said head and positioned along each sides of said member with the bases of said tufts at said head spaced apart to permit flow of water between said bases and the sides of said tufts remote from said member being exposed, with the outer ends of said tufts remote from said head terminating adjacent said polishing surface, the portion of said member adjacent to and supporting said surface being compressible axially of said tufts to facilitate entry of the outer ends of said tufts between the teeth during polishing engagement between said polishing surface and said teeth, said tufts being progressively thicker from said head outwardly with the maximum thickness of each tuft adjacent the outer end thereof, and said polishing surface being at a distance from said head substantially no lesser distance than the distance of the maximum thickness of each tuft from said head said tufts adjacent their maximum thickness being substantially in engagement with said member, and a tuft of bristles secured to said head positioned at an end of said member.

3. in a tooth brush having an elongated head provided with an elongated tooth polishing member extending longitudinally of and projecting from one side of said head, means for firmly securing said member to said head and said member having a tooth engaging polishing surface facing outwardly of said head, said surface being formed with relatively small outwardly opening recesses for holding an abrasive thereon such as precipitated chalk during reciprocatory movement of said surface over the surfaces of the teeth in a brushing operation, a row of elongated tufts of bristles secured to said head and positioned along each side of said member and extending substantially from end to end of the latter with the bases of said tufts at said head spaced apart to permit flow of water between said bases, the sides of said tufts remote from said member being exposed with the outer ends of said tufts remote from said head terminating adjacent said polishing surface, the portion of said member adjacent to and supporting said surface being flexible and compressible axially of said tufts to facilitate entry of the outer ends of said tufts between the teeth during polishing engageernnt between said polishing surface and said teeth, said tufts being progressively thicker from said head outwardly with the maximum thickness of each of tuft adjacent the outer end thereof, and said polishing surface being at a distance from said head substantially no lesser distance than the distance of the maximum thickness of each tuft from said head, the outer ends of said tufts being pointed, said portion of said member being positioned on said head for engagement with and for receiving support from bristles of tufts at each side of said portion during flexing of said portion transversely of its length in said brushing operation.

4. In a toothbrush having an elongated head provided with an elongated tooth polishing member extending longitudinally of and projecting from one side of said head, said member being firmly secured to said head and having a tooth engaging polishing surface facing outwardly of said head, a row of elongated tufts of bristles secured to said head and positioned at each side of said member with the bases of said tufts at said head spaced apart to permit flow of water between said bases, the sides of said tufts remote from said member being exposed with the outer ends of said tufts remote from said head and said polishing surface being substantially in a common plane, the portion of said member adjacent to and supporting said surface being compressible axially of said tufts to facilitate entry of the outer ends of said tufts between the teeth during polishing engageemnt between said polishing surface and said teeth, said portion of said member being of moisture absorbent, flexible, and compressible material said portion of said member being positioned on said head for engagement with and for receiving support from bristles of tufts at each side of said portion during flexing of said portion transversely of its length in a normal tooth brushing operation.

5. In a toothbrush having an elongated head with longitudinally extending edges and a side between said edges provided with an elongated tooth polishing member of resilient, flexible, compressible, moisture absorbent material extending longitudinally of and projecting from the central portion of said side, a row of elongated tufts of bristles extending longitudinally of said member at each side of the latter and projecting from the surfaces of said side of said head alongside the surface of said central portion with the bases of said tufts at said head spaced apart to permit flow of water between said bases, the outer ends of said turfts terminating adjacent to said polishing surface and the sides of said tufts facing outwardly of said member being exposed, said member being firmly secured to said surface of said central portion, said surfaces alongside said last mentioned surface extending substantially straight outwardly from said central portion to said longitudinally extending edges and said surface of said central portion being substantially no closer to the side of said head opposite said member than said surfaces from which said tufts project, whereby, upon compression of said member, liquid held in said member and in the portion of said member adjoining said surface of said central portion may substantially be expressed therefrom for flushing foreign matter and micro-organ isms from said member and from said portion and from said surfaces and from around and between said tufts said member being positioned on said head for engagement with and for receiving support from bristles of tufts at each side of said member during flexing of said member transversely of its length in a normal tooth brushing operation.

6. In a toothbrush having an elongated head provided with an elongated tooth polishing member of moisture absorbent, flexible, resilient and compressible material extending longitudinally of and projecting from one side of said head, said member being firmly secured to said head and having a tooth engaging polishing surface facing outwardly of said head, a group of tufts of bristles secured to said head and positioned along each side of said member and extending substantially from end to end thereof with said tufts spaced apart at their bases at said head to permit flow of liquid therebetween, said group including tufts which have their sides remote from said member exposed and also incuding tufts with sides adjacent to each of the opposite sides of said member which will engage and support said member on each side of the latter when said member is flexed transversely of its length, said polishing surface and the outer ends of the tufts of said group being substantially in a common plane whereby said polishing surface will engage the teeth when the outer ends of bristles of tufts of said group are between adjacent teeth in a normal toothbrushing operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 90,763 Marshall June 1, 1869 1,128,139 Hoffman Feb. 9, 1915 1,191,556 Blake July 18, 1916 1,673,638 Peterson June 12, 1928 2,117,174 Jones May 10, 1938 2,312,828 Adamsson Mar. 2, 1943 2,567,764 Davies Sept. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 207,195 Switzerland of 1940 

